The Columbus journal., 1887-07-27

man Oh Inc hepuDllc, coming TO the
highest civic station from the humblest
walks Of life; struggling, honestly striv-
ing towards the full measure Of man.
hood; doing his work as in the felt
presence OF q governing and approving
Providence, with a lofty ideal of the
future greatness Of his country, with
malice towards none, but with charity
to all" It is no wonder that Americans
everywhere revere the memory, and
. cherish the virtues of their first martyr
| president, ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
h WORLD OWES US A LIVING, By GRACE
FER
The narrOwest Interpretation OF the
word living food, shelter and
clothing. These, we claim, the world
owes to every one, or at least the right
to earn them; and the world to each in
dividual is the civilization which sur
rounds him. The civilization of today,
which enables the few to count their
millions while the masses suffer for the
necessaries Of life, is indeed an unsound
civilization.
We of the 18th century, who in turn
ing the pages Of history, hold up our
hands in holy horror Mt the cruelty and
barbarism of ancient times, have but to
look at the present condition Of some
of the countries, for instance, India and
Ireland, under British rule to realize that
the masses Of the people are vainly
struggling for a living. England in her
greed does not hesitate to wiring from
the tillers Of the soil, the very food which
their labor has produced, to support the
alien landlords in idleness. And shall
We of America take no warning?
OF the three great fortunes Of America,
the foundation of but one was obtained
by real service to the world. Wander
bilt rendered a real service to the people
when he completed the through line
railway system. Gould's immense for
tune was made by speculation, and
Astor's by the rise of real estate. Every
dollar that is thus gained by specula-
ton is so much received without giving
an equivalent, and this is what We must
have If each one has an equal chance for
a living. We can look over any one Of
our fair fertile western states and see
large tracts of land owned by one per-
son, who is making no improvements,
holding it until it rises in value by the
labor of others. When he can sell it for
double or treble what it cost him he
coolly puts the money in his pocket and
congratulates himself upon being a
thrifty manager, little thinking or caring,
that for the money he has received he
has given nothing in return. For, as q
%well-known writer has said, ''The key to
all honest earning of a living is to do
service"
Every capitalist that loans his money
for a reasonable consideration is q bene-
factor to his fellowmen. But as we of
the west we'll know, the eastern cap
italist sends his money here to be loaned
at such a rate of interest that no legiti-
mate business can pay it, and the hard
working hOmesteader or struggling bust
ness man wakes up to the fact that he
has promised to do what no mortal Gun
do, only when his little all is swept from
him to fill the Golfers Of the rich. Thus
the chance for earning an honest living
is lessened, and the country as we'll as
the individual suffers.
The world itself acknowledges, to q
certain extent, the right of each and
every one to food, shelter and clothing,
by its many institutions. The majority
of the states, by their public school sys-
tenn, supported by taxation, and by their
industrial schools, are providing for the
future welfare and usefulness of their
youth. The magnificent buildings that
are erected all over our country for the
care of the sick, infirm and unfortunate
of all classes, that are unable to do SER
vice, are evidences of the fact that the
world realizes it owes them a living.
Civilization is cooperation. The think
ing men of today are beginning to realize
that a great wrong has been done by
allowing the comparatively few to claim
ownership of the land; and are present
ing many reasons why land should be
common property. Henry George says:
The equal right of all men to the use
of land is as clear as their equal right
to breathe the ART is q right pro-
claimed by the fact of their existence"
In this country we have not as yet felt
tha impo.tsnoo OF this question. But
the great fortunes that are being &C.
cumulated by the few on the one hand,
and the labor trouble and poverty on
the other hand, are beginnings Of this
terrible question Of ownership; and the
oppressed of all nations are looking to
us for the ideal civiliz ation.
Where selfishness gives place to fell
lowship, and the universal sentiment is
not leach one for himself but all for
each other" every one will be fitted to
do Just that kind of work which will not
only benefit himself but will be for the
good of the world in general. He will
not be satisfied by simply earning a liv-
ing, but will we'll earn a leisure and the
education to enjoy a leisure.
For an ignorant person could not On
Joy a leisure. He would probably SO
use it as to be an injury instead Of q
benefit, spending it either in dissipation
or reading the trashy literature Of the
day. There are classes Of persons who
want a living and a leisure also, but are
not willing to earn it. They expect to
be supported by those who do work.
Criminals, paupers and gamblers are
among this class Of persons. They
readily accept the idea that the world
owes them a living, but forget what they
owe to the world.
Not every man can attain greatness,
not every woman can become q Florence
Nightingale or a Mr.. Stowe, but it is
the duty and the privilege Of each one
to SO live that the world may be the |
better for their being in it.
And as the foundation of our govern
ment is based upon the equal rights of
man, we shall surely reach the ideal
state of society; for q government that
has been strong enough to suppress
slavery and change the whole social con-
ditiOn of one section of our country will
be strong enough and pure enough to
guide its people to the highest and
happiest of civilizations.
sail ON oh ship of state! |
Sail on oh Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years.
Is hanging breathless on thy fate! |
We know what Master laid thy keel.
What workman wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast and sail and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat.
In what q forge and what q heat 1
We've shaped the anchors Of thy hope!
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
lis Of the wave and not the rock;
It's but the tapping Of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale.
In spite of rock and tempest's roar.
In spite Of false lights on the shore,
Sail ON, nor fear to breast the sea, |
Our hearts. our hopes, are all with thee,
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our